266 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Hon. sir J. p. Boucaut scramble for office by members," which was declared to be " calculated to bring into contempt our present system of government." But Sir James apparently allayed the discord, and with his colleagues — Sir Arthur BIyth, Sir William Milne, Mr. Duffield, and Mr. English, enjoyed a peaceful reign until May 2, 1867, when Sir Henry Ayers returned to power. The out-going administration, with Mr. Hart, and then Sir J. P. Boucaut, at its head, was the longest-lived since that of Sir R. D. Hanson — 1857-60. Upon his retirement. Sir James was offered a O.C.-ship., but declined that honor, as he did several offers of office in succeeding governments. The years following were fraught with big results ; and although the old turmoil was revived, legislation was carried which very greatly and beneficially affected the future of the Province. To this result Sir J. P. Boucaut, although not in power, largely contributed. Mr. Strangways succeeded Sir Henry Ayers as Premier, and his Cabinet so amended the land laws that an immense tract of country was added to the agricultural areas. This was in the Middle North, where the grain output added enormously to the fame of South Australia in that direction, led to a migration of farmers from the lower and older districts, and caused a great wave of prosperity to sweep over the Province. Immigration was heartily encouraged for a time, and public works on a big scale were projected. It must not be supposed that these beneficent measures were carried without a struggle. The men who framed them were fought inch by inch, and an astonishing amount of rancour was aroused. Despite frequent requests. Sir J. P. Boucaut remained out of office until 1872. In the former year he had moved a vote of want of confidence in the Hart Ministry, which caused its members to resign, and Sir James was asked to form a Cabinet. Upon his refusal. Sir Henry Ayers, and then Sir Arthur Blyth, were sent for. The last gentleman went into office, but in keeping with the spirit of the hour, he was ousted about two months later. Under the name of the Ayers Government, a new Ministry was formed in January, 1872, by Mr. Hughes and Sir Henry Ayers, with the assistance of Sir James, "to establish the principle that the Governor was not entitled absolutely to say that the framer of the Government should necessarily be its head." In March Sir James retired, and he did not again sit on the Treasury benches until June 3, 1875, when he once more assumed the position of Premier, having defeated Sir Arthur Blyth. Sir James propounded a policy so bold and comprehensive that it will not readily be forgotten in the Province. It was the most celebrated feature in his political career. The vital questions of the day referred to immigration, to education, to public works, and to finance. The opening up of the northern agricultural areas under the Strangways Land Act had already proved highly beneficial, but the supply of labor was so limited, that large sums were voted by Parliament in aid of assisted and free immigration. The finances were in such a condition that any attempt to incur further liabilities was opposed most vigorously. The trend of public opinion was nervous of a big expenditure, and yet the growing interests of the Province seemed to demand the projection of large public works. The PIducation Act was confused, and a proposal to place the system on an equality with that of some of the other colonies was excitedly supported and opposed according to the divergent views of the people. "The Boucaut Ministry," says Mr. Edwin Hodder in his "History of South Australia," "brought in an Pxlucation Bill which skilfully embodied the views of
